India's Census Has an Information Problem
Scams, data security concerns, and an opaque caste census process — India's first Digital Census has an information problem
Census 2027 is underway, and this week, we highlight three challenges emerging due to a lack of public information on the process.
Awareness gaps are making people easy targets for scammers
Data security protocols are lacking in public clarity, raising concerns about preparedness for data breaches
Basic details on how the caste census will be carried out are still missing, with only four months left
Following the Census rollout, reports started emerging of scammers targeting people in numerous ways. In Gujarat, fraudsters targeted people with fake mobile applications. The miscreants were reportedly pushing malicious APK files through WhatsApp and other messaging platforms. Rajasthan police issued an advisory explaining how fraudsters may use fake calls, messages, or even doorstep visits, impersonating census officials to con people.
Through fraudulent means, scammers try to get Aadhaar details, OTPs, and bank information, which the Census does not require.
A few tips to stay safe: People should only participate through door-to-door visits or the official self-enumeration portal se.census.gov.in; Verify the photo ID of anyone claiming to be a census official; Avoid unverified links or apps on social media platforms
With impersonation scams on the rise, Delhi has reportedly introduced QR code-based verification for census enumerators, letting residents scan official ID cards and appointment letters to confirm authenticity before sharing any information.
Further recommendations from experts include,
Working more closely with civil society organisations to build trust and widen outreach;
Multilingual awareness campaigns helping people recognise official processes; and,
Standardised training for enumerators to ensure consistent and credible field engagement.
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The Clock Is Ticking on the Caste Census
Caste enumeration is slated for Phase II of Census 2027, beginning in September 2026 in Ladakh, snow-bound areas of J&K, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh, before expanding nationwide in February 2027. There are barely four months left, with enumerator training and software preparation needing to begin before that. Yet the methodology and the questions to be asked in this complex exercise remain largely unknown.
With enumerator training and software preparation needing to begin before September 2026, there are barely four months left for Phase II of Census 2027. Yet, the questions and methodology for the first caste census since 1931 remain unpublished.
The stakes of getting the caste census right are high. Without a concrete listing of castes and communities to be enumerated, the 2011 SECC yielded over 46 lakh different “castes.” The number was so high because the enumerators mistakenly added people’s surnames in the caste field. Experts say the Census officials must consult academics, caste groups, political groupings, and the public before arriving at any such listing. Without that process, history may simply repeat itself.
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Assured, but Unverified: The Data Security Question Hanging Over Census 2027
The government has assured that a “comprehensive, multi-layered data security framework” is in place to secure the digital infrastructure for the country’s first digital Census. This includes end-to-end encryption, secure transmission protocols, and data centres designated as Critical Information Infrastructure. The systems also comply with ISO/IEC 27001:2022 standards and are subject to regular audits, says the government.
There continue to be concerns despite assurances because India ranks second globally among targets for cyberattacks, with the Data Security Council of India reporting an average of 761 attack attempts per minute in 2023. Amid this backdrop, critics have argued that a “digital caste census, with its vast and sensitive datasets, would be a high-value target.”
The 2023 data leak from the CoWIN vaccination portal, which exposed millions of people to identity theft, showed that government servers are not immune. If a similar breach were to occur during the caste census, the fallout could include data manipulation, targeted phishing, discrimination, and the exploitation of vulnerable social groups. Without clearly articulated public protocols, confidence in the exercise remains difficult to build.
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Peoples’ Census Watch